49ers' Whitner can't legally become 'Hitner' just yet

San Francisco 49ers safety Donte Whitner, top, intercepts a pass while St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brian Quick, bottom, defends as Whitner falls into the end zone for a touchback. (Charlie Riedel/Associated Press)

SANTA CLARA — Donte Hitner, it isn't.

Rather than ask an Ohio judge to grant a name-change request Tuesday, 49ers safety Donte Whitner withdrew his application to drop the 'W' from his surname, according to the Cuyahoga County Probate Court.

“I had to withdraw the name change until after the season. Judge wouldn't allow it without me being present,” Whitner explained on Twitter.

Whitner voiced a desire to change his name after he drew unnecessary-roughness penalties in back-to-back games, including a touchdown-saving hit in St. Louis that cost him a $21,000 fine.

He made a legal, hard hit to prevent a fourth-down completion in Sunday's 23-20 loss the New Orleans Saints. He also gave up his first touchdown in coverage this season.

Initially wanting to change his name last summer, Whitner filed an official request in court once he got the blessing of his mother, Deborah.

“Everything we do is for the fans. It's all entertainment,” Whitner said last month. “But at the same time, that's what I do, it's my game. Along with some things that have happened recently.”

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Whitner is in his third season as the 49ers' starting strong safety. He is scheduled to become a free agent after this season.

Had the court granted his name change, he could have unveil that “Hitner” name on the back of his No. 31 jersey as soon as Monday night's game at Washington, but only if he'd bought up all of the remaining “Whitner” replica jerseys made by NFL-sponsor Nike.